Résumé The Richtersveld falls within the Succulent Karoo and Desert biomes. It forms part of a biodiversity hotspot
with a high diversity of succulent plant species, many of which are endemic to the area. The area is also
characterised by varied geological, socio-economic and climatic conditions, which are further complicated
and accentuated by impacts such as open-cast mining, livestock grazing and the illegal harvesting of sensitive
species. Existing research has pointed towards to the loss of keystone species, changes in vegetation cover
and losses in overall biodiversity as a result of a combination of the above conditions and impacts. Remote
sensing is increasingly being used to detect or monitor change, because of its ability to capture information
on a large scale in a repeatable and digital manner. Remote sensing of vegetation cover changes in arid
regions is, however, particularly challenging due to low vegetation cover, bright soil background, as well as
morphological and physiological desert plant adaptations. This study made use of remote sensing
technologies in order to investigate possible vegetation cover changes that have taken place over time, and
which may have manifested through a combination of threats to the region. The aims of the study were
addressed using three key questions that sought to a) gain an understanding of the relationship between
vegetation response and moisture, in order to interpret b) temporal and c) spatial vegetation cover changes. A
spatially and temporally representative remotely sensed dataset was used together with techniques that are
repeatable and able to quantify change with limited human bias. The dataset consisted of periodic (1991,
1997 and 2004) 30 meter Landsat images as well as continuous (2000 to 2005) 16-day 250 meter MODIS
NDVI imagery. The data were analysed using a combination of techniques that included pixel- and objectbased
classifications, vegetation index differencing, principle component analysis, and others. The results
give an objective reflection of a region that, from a rather course remote sensing perspective, appears to have
a temporally predictable yet spatially complex vegetation relationship with available moisture. However, the
region appears to be without significant temporal or spatial vegetation cover changes. Despite the stable
results, it is argued that remote sensing research in the Richtersveld, using updated technologies and
techniques, should continue into the future as it still holds great potential as a decision support tool in
sensitive environments with high propensities for change.